Gov’t reaffirms support for Filipino workers on Labor Day; groups call for wage hike

THE Philippine government honored hard-working and dedicated Filipino workers on Thursday, May 1, highlighting their significant contributions to the country’s economy and development.

The first day of May is the Philippines’ celebration of Labor Day, a regular holiday that also unites Filipino laborers to continue to fight for their rights and improved compensation.

In his Labor Day message, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the government’s support for the workers, vowing concrete actions to address their needs and those of their families.

“Nararapat lamang na ang pagdiriwang na ito ay gawin nating pagkakataon upang bumuo ng mga kongkretong hakbang upang matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng bawat pamilya, matiyak ang kaligtasan sa lugar ng trabaho, at mapangalagaan ang karapatang makamit ang magandang kinabukasan,” Marcos said.

He also acknowledged the workers’ vital contributions to nation-building and assured the continuation of projects that would advance their growth and prosperity.

“Taimtim ang aming paninindigang kayo ay hindi pababayaan, bagkus ay higit pang itataguyod—hindi bilang tungkulin lamang, kung hindi bilang pasasalamat at pagkilala sa inyong tunay na halaga at sakripisyo,” Marcos continued.

Before this, the President announced that Filipino workers could enjoy free rides at Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2, from April 30 to May 3. This is the government’s small tribute to the laborers, as part of the Labor Day celebration.

The Office of the President and Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) also held the 2025 edition of “Konsyerto sa Palasyo (KSP)” to honor the contributions and sacrifices of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it would offer 216,144 job opportunities for Filipinos, including 34,211 overseas jobs.

Call for wage hike

On Thursday, several labor groups marched through the streets of Metro Manila to push for a P1,200 living wage and the P200 wage hike bill.

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) is among the groups that joined the Labor Day protest at the Liwasang Bonifacio, with their banners bearing the appeal: “Nakabubuhay na sahod 1,200 nationwide.”

A living wage refers to a worker’s capability to support themselves and their family, while still having savings.

The National Wage Coalition (NWC), which the KMU is part of, called for Marcos to certify as urgent the P200 wage hike bill in the House of Representatives. It said that Marcos’ certification of the bill as urgent is “crucial” as Congress only has six session days left to approve the P200 legislated wage hike before it ends in June.

“Filipino workers grow more frustrated each day. They feel neglected, misled, and disrespected, as they are forced to beg for even the bare minimum each year while being pushed deeper into poverty and despair,” the coalition said in a statement.

“For the vast majority of Filipino workers, the P200 legislated wage hike is their only hope because only a small minority are unionized and the Philippines has remained among the ten worst countries for workers for nearly a decade,” it added, citing the Global Rights Index of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).”

The proposed P200 wage hike is the first in three decades since the last legislated wage increase was enacted under the Wage Rationalization Act of 1989.